Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman announced that his office reached an agreement with Binghamton-based Don’s Automotive Mall, Inc. to resolve an investigation that revealed that the company was selling salvaged automobile airbags in violation of New York State law. The Southern Tier area automobile salvage company agreed that it would not sell any salvaged airbags without first complying with the law. New York requires anyone attempting to sell inflatable restraint systems salvaged from another vehicle to have it first certified according to standards established by a nationally recognized testing, engineering and research body approved by the commissioner of the Department of Motor Vehicles in consultation with the superintendent of the Department of Financial Services. Currently there are no approved standards from the State of New York, rendering the sale of all salvaged airbags illegal.
“Airbags are a critical piece of automotive safety equipment and can be the difference between life and death in a car accident,” said Attorney General Schneiderman. “Today’s settlement will ensure that Don’s Automotive Mall complies with state law and will prevent untested and potentially hazardous safety equipment from being used in vehicles in New York State.”
The Attorney General’s investigation revealed that Don’s Automotive sold dozens, if not hundreds, of airbags removed from salvaged automobiles to consumers and auto repair shops throughout the U.S. without first having the equipment properly tested. In addition to refraining from such unlawful sales in the future, the company agreed to pay a $12,500 civil penalty to New York for the violation. The company also agreed to maintain records of any salvaged airbags for a period of three years.
The investigation was handled by Assistant Attorney General Michael J. Danaher, Jr. from the Binghamton Regional Office under the supervision of James E. Shoemaker, assistant attorney general in charge of the Binghamton Regional Office and Executive Deputy Attorney General for Regional Affairs Marty Mack.
